Sound Bites

"Taking the courageous choice to step right out of minor hockey for about three years and just train and work on your game and explore your other interests."

"It was all because of Colin Miller. He called me up one evening and he asked me to do just like a practice of skate with him."

"By playing the year in Zurich right now, you are eligible, that made you eligible, right? You had to play a season."

Summary

Vanessa Schaefer shares her journey as a female hockey player, from playing with boys to taking a break from minor hockey to train and explore other interests. She then went on to play for the Vancouver Comets and Delta Academy before moving to Switzerland to play in the women's professional league. Vanessa recently represented Switzerland in the World Championships. She discusses the process of playing in Switzerland and gaining eligibility for the national team. Vanessa also talks about her upcoming plans to play for UBC and pursue a degree in psychology and business.

Takeaways

The importance of taking risks and exploring different opportunities in sports

The value of training and focusing on skill development

The process of gaining eligibility to play for a national team

The significance of taking ownership and responsibility for personal growth

The excitement of representing your country in international competitions

The balance between sports and education in pursuing a university career

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:11 Playing in Switzerland and Gaining Eligibility

06:25 Playing in Zurich and Qualifying for the National Team

09:20 Exploring Different Sports and Skills Development

11:37 Encouraging Athletes to Take Ownership and Responsibility

13:24 Trying New Things and Embracing Failure

14:11 Learning from Playing as an Underage Player

15:20 Putting on the Swiss Jersey and Realizing the Dream

16:10 Looking Forward to UBC and Pursuing Psychology and Business

Keywords

female hockey player, playing with boys, training, exploring, Vancouver Comets, Delta Academy, women's professional league, Switzerland, World Championships, eligibility, UBC, psychology, business

Sound Bites

"Have you ever wondered what it would be like to play in four world championships for a country you're not even born in?"

"Your child has to want it. You can't teach somebody to want something."

"It's a crazy journey. I mean, to think that I've been playing this game for 16 years now, it's just crazy and all the places it's taken me."

Summary

Nina Jobst-Smith, a hockey player who has represented Germany in four world championships, shares her journey from playing in Canada to pursuing her dreams in Germany and eventually becoming captain of an NCAA Division I program. She discusses the importance of having a German passport and how it opened doors for her to play in Germany and represent the national team. Nina also talks about the challenges of balancing academics and athletics as a civil engineering student and high-performance athlete. She emphasizes the importance of self-motivation and surrounding oneself with supportive and inspiring people.

Takeaways

Having a German passport opened doors for Nina to play in Germany and represent the national team.

Balancing academics and athletics as a high-performance athlete requires self-motivation and a strong work ethic.

Surrounding oneself with supportive and inspiring people is crucial for personal and athletic development.

The journey to success in sports and academics is filled with challenges and setbacks, but perseverance and a positive mindset are key.

Prep Camp provides a platform for athletes to develop their skills, make connections, and have fun on their journey to achieving their goals.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

04:21 Playing in the Women's Pro League and Seeing Growth in the Women's Game

06:19 Playing as an Overage Player and Choosing to Pursue a Career in the States

10:08 Becoming Captain of the University of Minnesota Duluth Women's Hockey Team

12:57 The Importance of Self-Motivation and Surrounding Yourself with Supportive People

16:30 The Impact of Prep Camp on Personal and Athletic Development

Summary

Jenn Gardiner, a former NCAA Division I hockey player and captain, shares her experiences and the impact of attending Prep Camp. She discusses the influence of her coach, Mark Taylor, and the positive relationship they had. Jenn emphasizes the importance of being a better person, not just a better player, and recalls a challenging moment in high school that helped her grow. She also talks about the excitement of playing in a professional women's hockey league and the significance of having her former coach and teammates in the stands during big games. Jenn highlights the sense of family and connection at Prep Camp and the value of familiar environments in times of uncertainty. She also touches on the college recruitment process and the transfer portal in NCAA athletics. Lastly, Jenn mentions her pursuit of a master's degree in sports management and her aspirations to continue her career in hockey.

Sound Bites

"What it would be like to play five years at a division one major hockey program, to be captain, to win two NCAA division one championships in three years..."

"I'm really thankful to have had someone like Mark."

"It was really, really exciting to get them out to a game."

Keywords

NCAA, hockey, Prep Camp, coach, relationship, growth, professional league, family, connection, uncertainty, college recruitment, transfer portal, master's degree, sports management

Takeaways

The positive relationship between a coach and an athlete can have a significant impact on the athlete's development and success.

Challenges and setbacks in high school can provide valuable opportunities for growth and maturity.

Playing in a professional women's hockey league is an exciting opportunity for female athletes and a significant step forward for women's hockey.

Familiar environments, like Prep Camp, can provide a sense of grounding and support in times of uncertainty.

The college recruitment process can be unpredictable, and athletes should be open to exploring different options and making changes if necessary.

Continuing education, such as pursuing a master's degree, can open doors for future career opportunities in sports management.

The importance of family, connection, and friendships in the world of sports cannot be underestimated.